Depositing machine



Oct 1943. G s. SUPPIGER 2,332,026

DEPOSITING MACHINE Filed Feb.. 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l III 38 l4%/ Ta 2: GERl-MET 5. Su p/ 5g 2,3 '4rraRA EK Oct. 19, 1943.

G. s. SUPPIGER 2,332,026 DEPOSITING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet s Patented Oct. 19, 1943 Gerhart S Suppiger, Belleville, 111., assignor to The G. S. Suppiger Company, St. Louis; Mo., a

corporation of Delaware Application February15, 1940', Serial No. 319,038

13 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to depositing mechanisms, and more particularly to a depositing mechanism which separates out consecutively from amass of articles as tablets, capsules, or the like, articles, or a predetermined number of articles, conveys them ultimately to a point of deposit, and deposits them. The present machine finds special application in the depositingof salt tablets, and other pellets, in traveling cans of foodstuff ortraveling cans in which foodstuff is to be placed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel depositing mechanism for consecutively selecting articles from amass and ultimately depositing them at a predetermined point. 7

Another object is to provide a depositing mechanism which is adapted to deposit previously selected tablets, or thelike, at a high rate of deposit speed.

Another object is to provide a depositing mechanism which includes adevice for depositing compensating articles in the deposit device in lieu of articles failed to be separated from a mass of available articles by the separating device.

Another object is to provide a depositing mechanism which includesa pair of article transporting plates angularly disposed and capable of relatively great pick up and deposit speed.

Another object is to provide a depositing mechanism which incorporates a device for the receipt of articles which are not deposited in due course at the point of discharge. t

Another object is to provide a depositing mechanism.which includes a safety device for stopping the machine upon a failure of an article in a space of the depositing device approaching the normal point of discharge. v

Another object is to provide adepositing machine incorporating a device for periodically releasing articles fromthe depositing device -to permit them to fall by gravity into waiting receptacles.

Another object is toprovide apower-driven depositing machine. incorporating the several devices afore-enumerated, and having a can or other container positioning device synchronously driven with the other rotating elements of the mechanism.

Another object is to provide a novel powerdriven high speed depositing mechanism which is constructed to insure the positive deposit of an article at each predetermined period of deposit.

Another object is to provide afdeposit'meclsianism whichis efficient in operation, accurate and reliable inits depositing operations, and sturdy in construction.

Other objects and a dvantages will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 isa frontview of a power-driven depositing mechanism constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, said depositing mechanism being. mounted in conjunction with a conveyor;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of one side of the depositing mechanism shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away for clarity of illustration; 2

Fig. 4 is a view of the other side of the depositing mechanism shown in Fig. 1, a part of the hopper being broken away for conservation of space;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view of apor'tion of the compensating device; T

,Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. "7;

Fig. 9 is a section" on the line 9-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a plan view indicated on Fig. 1 by thelinell--H;. v

Fig. 12 is a plan view indicated on Fig. 1 by the line l2l2;

Fig. 13 is a section on the line l3l3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 14 is a perspective of the gate element forming a part of the article-releasing device;

and,

Fig. 15 is a section on the line l5l5 of Fig. 12.

Referring more particularl yto the drawings by reference numerals, there is disclosed a powerdriven depositing mechanism generally designated 20. For illustration only, .the present depositing mechanism. is .here considered as depositing salt tablets. 'Broadly, and in the main, the depositing mechanism 29 includes a support 2| (Figs. 2 and 3); powered drive mechanism 22 (Figs. 2-5), a hopper 23 for containingthe mass of articles such as tablets 24, a tablet pick up constructionjf'l (Fig. 5), a tablet deposit construction 26 (Figs. 1 and 5), a tablet compensating device 21 (Figs. 1 and 5-7), a tablet release construction 28 (Figsl, 2, l0 and 13), a cut-out device 29 (Figs. 1, l1 and 12), a reject device 30 (Figs. 3 and 9), and a can synchronizing device 3| (Figs. 1 and 2).

The. support 2| (Figs. 2 and 3) comprises a, post 35 and. aheavypl'ate 36 supported on the post .55 and secured thereto by bolts 31, or the like. The support 2I is located adjacent a can carrier 38 which, of course, may be of any construction. Both the support 2i and the carrier 38 are anchored in some suitable foundation (not shown).

The tablet pick up construction and the tablet deposit construction 26 are mounted on the plate (Figs. 1-3, and 5). A large bracket 46 has legs 4I forming one side thereof adjustably secured'to the plate 36 by bolts 42, or the like, extending through slots 43. The other side 44 of the bracket 40 extends vertically from the plate 36 and has secured thereto by bolts 66, or the like, one side 41 of a second bracket 48. To the other side 49 of the bracket 48 is adjustably secured a casting 50 by bolts 5I, or the like. The casting 50 includes a U-shaped portion 53 which comprises a bight 54 secured to the side 49 of the bracket 48, and walls 55 and 55. The edges of the walls 55 and 56 spaced from the b-ight 58 are integral with a pie pan-shaped portion 51* which is disposed at an angle of substantially 45 to the horizontal plane of the plate 55. Plates 58 and 59 close the open ends of the U- shaped portion 53, thereby forming a box construction referred to below. Each wall 55 and 56 has an opening 68 therein covered by a plate 6I removably secured in place by suitable screwsv or the like.

A substantially circular plate 62 is secured to the portion 51 of the casting 56 by bolts 63, or the like (Figs. 3 and 4). The plate 62 has a slotted projection 64 at each side. The hopper 23 is secured to the plate 62 by means of wing nut bolt assemblages 65 connected to the rim of the hopper 23 and engaging the slotted projection 64.

The plate 62 has a central aperture which receives and serves as a bearing for one end of a shaft 66 (Fig. 5). The other end of the shaft 66 has bearing in an aperture formed in a member 61 secured to the plate 59 by suitable bolts, or the like. angles to the plane of the plate 62, and, hence, is at substantially 45 to a horizontal plane. A disc element 68 is secured to or formed integral with the upper end of the shaft 66 above the plate 62. The disc element 68 has seemed thereto by bolts 69, or the like, a tablet pick up plate 18 which is in the form of a shallow dish-shaped disc particularly contoured. The pick up *plate 16 has spaced apertures 1I adjacent the periphery thereof, the periphery being defined by an annular flange 12. an annular plate 14 which is secured to the plate 62. The annular plate 14 is broken away at its uppermost portion to provide a clear opening beneath the uppermost disposed aperture 1| for a purpose described below.

A crown gear 16 is mounted on the shaft 66 below the plate 62, being fixed to an annular flange 11 formed integral with or fixed to the shaft 66. Also fixed to the shaft 66 by a suitable set screw, or the like, is a beveled pinion 18, the pinion 18 being spaced from the crown gear 16. A shaft 19 is rotatably mounted in bosess 89 and 8| formed integral with the plates 58 and 59. Secured to the shaft 19 by suitable set screws, or the like, are a pinion 82 and a beveled gear 83. The pinion 82 meshes with the crown gear 16. An elongated bearing 85 is secured to the lower face of the bight 54 by suitable screws 86 and extends through a suitable opening in the side 49 of the bracket 48' A shaft Beneath the apertures 'II is 1 81 is rotatably mounted in the bearing 85 and has fixed to the. upper end thereof above the bearing 85 by a suitable set screw a beveled pinion 86 which meshes with the beveled gear 83. A collar 89 is secured to the shaft 81 adjacent the lower end of the bearing 85 to prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft 81. A beveled gear 99 is fixed to the shaft 81 by a suitable set screw at a point adjacent the legs M of the bracket 40. The shaft 81 extends between the legs 4! and through a suitable opening in the plate36. A sprocket 9| is secured by a suitable set screw to the lower end of the shaft 21 and serves as an optional drive connection. The beveled gear 90 has cooperative relationship with a drive mechanism which is described below.

The tablet depositing construction 26 includes a casting comprising a disc portion 95 having an'annular flange 91, a wall portion 98 right- The shaft 66 is disposed at right angularly disposed relative to the disc 96, and a bearing block portion 99, the casting beingsecured to the pan-shaped portion 51 of the casting 59 by bolts I06 extending through the wall 98 and into the pan-shaped portion 51 (Figs. 3, i, and 5). The disc 96 is at right angles to the plate 62, overlapping the plate 62 at a juncture point to disposed the upper edge of the disc 96 adjacent the pick up plate 16. The flange 91 is cut away at the uppermost disposed point to permit the aforesaid juncture.

A shaft I62 has bearing in the bearing block 99 and has secured to an end extending above the disc 85 an article-depositing plate I63, the plate I93 being secured to the shaft I82 by a suitable set screw I94. The plate I83 is, in effect, notched at spaced intervals in the periphery to form article-receiving spaces I65. The disc 96 serves as a backing plate for the space I95. A beveled pinion I96 is secured by a suitable set screw to the other end of the shaft I02 and has engagement with the beveled pinion 18. Normally, the beveled pinions 18 and I66 are of the same ratio, so that the plates 16 and I63 are rotated at the same speed. The ratio, of course,

I may be varied to allow for particular relationships of the apertures H and spaces I05. A casting I61 is disposed about the beveled pinions 18 and I66 to enclose them, the casting I81 being secured to the bearing block portion 99 by suitable screws I88, or the like.

The powered drive mechanism 22 which effects rotation of the plates 10 and I03 and which drives the can synchronizing device 3I is shown in plan through the section comprising Fig. 2. A motor H6 is secured by bolts II I, or the like, to the plate 36 and includes leads H2 and H3 which o to a suitable switch mechanism (not shown). The motor H0 includes a rotor shaft H5, to one end of which is secured a pinion I I6. A bearing H1 is adjustably mounted on the plate 36 in spaced relation thereto by a bracket II8, bolts I I9, or the like; extending through a suitable slot in the horizontal leg of the bracket and into the plate 36. A shaft I20 i rotatably mounted in the bearing I I1 and has fixed to one end by a suitable set screw a gear I2I and to the other end by a suitable set screw a small sprocket I22. The gear I2I meshes with the pinion I26. Bearings I24 and I25 are adjustably mounted on the plate 36 in spaced relation, and rotatably receive an elongated shaft I26. The bearings I24 and I25 and supports'are similar to the bearing I I1. An overload clutch I23 of conventional construction is connected to the shaft I26 to prevent breakage of the depositing mechanism due to can jams and other stoppages. A relatively large sprocket I21 is fixed to one Part of the'clutchi I23 at one end of the shaft I26 by a suitable set screw, and a small sprocket I28 is secured by a set screw or the like to theother end. A continuous chain I29 is disposedabout the sprockets I22 and I21. Bearings I36 and I3I are adjustably mounted on the plate 36 in spaced relation, and rotatably. receive a shaft I32. The bearings I36 and I3I are similar to the bearings II1, exceptthe bearing I36 is of greater length to provide a longer bearing surface. A beveled gear I33is fixed by a suitable set screw, or the like, to one end of the shaft I32. A small sprocket I34 is fixed by a suitable set screw, or the like, to theother end thereof, and a small sprocket I35 is fixed by a. suitable set screw to an intermediate portion of the shaft I32. The beveled gear 133 engages the beveled gear 96. A continuous chain I38 is disposed about the sprocket I28and the sprocket I35.

The can synchronizing device 3| (Figs. .1 and 2) is mounted on the plate 36. Bearings, I39 and I46 similar to the bearing II1 are adjustably secured to theplate 36. vAn elongated shaft MI is rotatably mounted inthe bearings I39 and I46 and has fixed thereto a screw elementl42. The screw element I42. includes a body portion I43 and a spiral fin I44 which increases. in depth from one extremity to. the other. Suitable set screws I45 fix the screw element I 42150 the shaft I 4|. A small sprocket I46 is secured to one end. of the shaft MI by a suitable set screw. A continuous chain I41 is disposedabout the sprocket I46 and about the aforesaid sprocket I34. Thescrew element I42 is disposed in parallel relation with the carrier 38 in a position to. engage cans I49 being conveyed thereby. Guide straps I56 mounted on posts II forming partof the carrier 38 are bowed in adjacent the screw elementl42 to insure engagement of the cans I49 thereby. A gate I48 replacing a section of the guidestraps I56 is disposed .oppositethe initial part of the fin I44 to preventcrushing of cans caught on the fin I44 prior to alignment thereof. ,v 1

The tablet-compensating device 21 (Figs. 1 and 5-7) is mounted on'a projection I52 formed integral with the flange 91 of the'casting95 by means of a bracket I53 secured to saidprojection I52. The bracket I53 (Fig. 6) include an elongated fiat arcuate portion I54 and a right-angular extension I55, theformer resting, in part, on top of the projection I52 and the latter being secured to the projection I52 by bolts I56. The portion I54 ofthe bracket I53 is disposed in a plane parallel with the plane of the depositing plate I63, being disposed at one side thereof.

A shaft 158 (Figs. 6 and 9) is mounted inan aperture in the portion I54 in fixed relation to the bracket I53. A disc element I59 formed integral with or fixed to the shaft I58 is secured to theportion I54 by screws I51, which both braces the shaft I58 and serves as a stop' element in its penetration of the apertureformed inthe portion I54. A-sleeve I66 is disposed" about the shaft I58 for rotation thereabout as an axis and includes an integral annular flange I16 at one end. A compensator disc I6I .having a. central recess into which the flange I16 fits is secured byscrews I81 to the flange I16, and thusto the sleeve I66. Th compensator disc I6I includes a pluralityof spaced apertures I62 disposed adjacent the periphery thereof, each aperture being adapted to receive a tablet, or the: predetermined: number .of tablets which each aperture 1I of'theipick up plate 16 selects. A plate I63 is disposed. beneath the disc I6I to form a backing for the apertures I62, the plate I 63 being fixed by any suitable means to the portion I54. Th plate I63'is cut away at the lowerportionbeneath the lowermost disposed aperture. I 62 to permit deposit of articles from the dis'cIBI. The disc I6I overlaps a portion of the deposit plate I63 forsubstantially aligning one space I65 and one aperture I62.

A ratchet wheel I65 is secured by a suitable set screw to the sleeve I66 adjacent the disc I6I. A member I66 having a plurality of fiat faces is secured tothe sleeve I66 by a suitableset-screw, or the like. A member I61 is secured to the end of the shaft I58 bya suitable set screw I68. A fiat spring I69 (Fig. 4) .is securedto the member I61 by a screw, or the'like, and extends to engage the member I66 to comprise an auxiliary brake which assists in preventing overrun of the disc I6I. Also connected to the'member I61 by any suitable means is a stop member "I (Fig. 1). A brake device I12 is fixed to the portion I54 and includes a bracket and shoe element I13 secured to the portion I54 by a screw, or the like, and a brake band I14 secured tothe element I13 by any suitable means and engaging the periphery of the compensator disc I6I.

A second shaft I15 (Figs. 6 and 9) is rotatably mounted in an elongated bearing I16 extending downwardly from the portion I54 and preferably formed integraltherewitha Collars II1and I18 maintain the shaft I15in the desired relationship. A teller arm I19 is secured by a suitable set screw, or the-like, to the lowermost end of the shaft I15, the teller arm I19 carrying a rotatable wheel I86 at the free end thereof, the wheel I86 beingv rotatably secured to the teller arm I19 by a suitable screw NH. The teller arm I19 is located to dispose the wheel I86 in the path. of the apertures H of the pick up plate 16.

A lever arm I82 is secured to.the upper free end of the shaft I15 by a suitable set screw, or the like. A dog or pawl I83 is pivotally connected to the freeend of the lever arm I82 intermediate its length by a suitable screw pin I84. Extending laterally from the lever arm I 82 near its fixed connection with the shaft I15 is a projection I85. ;A tension spring I86 is secured to the free end of the projection I andto one endof the dog I83, thereby tending to force the other end of the dog .I83.into engagement with the ratchet wheel I65 atall times. The stop member I1I prevents inoperative displacement of the is secured to the projection I96 and to the'upturned extremity. I89 of the arm I88, thereby v tending to rotate the lever arm I82 counterclockwise (Fig. 6) at all times, and, therethroug'h, to force the teller arm I19 through its wheel I86 into engagement with the pick up plate 16. A second arm I93 is secured I54 by'suitable screws I94, or the like. A spring I95 (Figs. 6 and 8) is secured to the free end of the arm I93 by a suitable screw I96, or the like. The fre'e end ofthe arm I93 has a plurality of apertures I91 to receive the screw I96 to provide adjustment of thespring I95. ,The free end of the spring I95: is disposedto engage a tablet to the portion aligned with the space I05 to assist the gravity discharge of the tablet.

The tablet-release construction 29 (Figs. 1, 2, and 13) is mounted on the casting 95. Spaced bearing arms 200 (Figs. 4 and 13) are secured by bolts I, or the like, toprojections 202 and 203 formed integral withthe flange 91 adjacent the lowermost extremity thereof, each'bearing arm 200 havinga suitable bearing aperture at the free extremity. A shaft 204 is rotatably mounted in the bearing apertures of the arms 200, being maintained. in selected relation by.

collars 205 secured to the shaft 204 by suitable set screws, or the like. A gate 206 (Figs. 13 and 14) is fixed to the shaft 204 by apertured extensions 201 and suitable set screws, or the like. The gate 206 is disposed in an opening 298 in the flange 91 of the casting 95. A stop projection 209 formed integral with the gate 296 engages one edge of the opening 209 to prevent movement of the gate 206 into the opening 208 beyond a predetermined point.

The projection 202 extends outwardly from the flange 91 at an angle thereto (Fig. 4) and receives a member 2 I0 in fixed relation by means of bolts 2I l, or the like. An elongated bearing 2I2 is formed integral with the member 2!!! and extends downwardly therefrom. A shaft 2I3 is rotatably mounted in the bearing 2I2, being maintained in predetermined position by a collar 2I4 beneath the bearing 2l2 secured thereto by a suitable set screw, or the like, and a lever arm 2I5 (Fig. 10) secured thereto above the bearing 2I2 by means of split extensions 2 I6 binding the shaft 2I3 through a screw 2I'I, or the like. A link H8 is pivotally connected to the free end of the lever arm 2I5 by a pivotal connection 2I9 which permits both vertical and horizontal movement of the link 2I8 relative to the lever arm H5. The other end of the link 2I8 is pivotally connected to the stop projection 209 of the gate 206 by a screw 220, or the like. A tension spring22I has one end fixed to the lever arm 2I5 intermediate the ends thereof and the other end fixed to the projection 202 by any suitable means, thereby tending to rotate the lever arm 2I5 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 10) to maintain the gate 236 in closed position. A second lever arm 223 is secured to the shaft 2.23 below the collar 2I4 and has rotatably mounted on its free end in a horizontal plane a wheel 224 (Fig. 2). The wheel 224 is located in the path of the cans I49 to be pivoted thereby clockwise (Figs. 2 and 10) to thereby pivot the lever arm 2I5 clockwise to open the gate 206, which permits a tablet in the lowermost space I95 to fall by gravity into the can I49 below.

The cut-out device 29 (Figs. 1, 11 and 12) is secured to the casting 95. An arm 223 has a right-angular extension 229 secured to the lower face of the disc 96 by suitable screws, or the like. The arm 229 extends above the tablet-depositing plate I03 and terminates at its free extremity in a bearing 230. A shaft 23I is rotatably mounted in the bearing 230 and has fixed to one end which overlies the tablet-depositing plate I33 an arm 232. A roller 233 is rotatably secured by bracket elements 234 and suitable screws, or the like, to the free extremity of the arm 232. The roller 233 is of a sufficiently narrow width to permit it to fall into the spaces IE5 when tablets are missing therefrom. An arm 235 is fixed-to the otherend of the shaft 23I,- to the free end of which is secured one end of a tension spring 236. The other end of the tension spring 235 is secured to a projection 23! extending downwardly from the right-angular extension 229' and secured thereto by any suitable means." A member 238 is secured to the arm 235 intermediate the ends thereof by a bifurcated portion 239. The member 238 is of circular cross-section and terminates at its free end' in a threaded portion which receives an annular element 240 (Fig. 15). A cylindrical member 24I, closed at one end by a plug 242 and having an aperture 243 at the other end, receives the free end of the member 238 and the element 240. A helical spring 244 is disposed between the plug 242 and one face of the annular element 240. A second helical. spring 245 is disposed between the other face of the annular element 240 and the internal face of the apertured end of the cylindrical member 24I.

A bracket 246 (Figs. 11 and 12) is secured to the arm 228 by screws, or the like. A make and breakswitch 241 is secured to the free arm of the bracket 246 which includes a casing 248 housing movable and stationary contact carrying members (not shown). The switch 241 is a conventional sealed Micro Company switch and, hence, is not shown in detail, the elements thereof being sealed against water, moisture, and the like. Aplunger 249 internally operatively connected to the enclosed movable contact extends from the casing 248 and has secured thereto the neck of a rubber casing 250 which seals the plunger 249. The neck of the rubber casing 250 moves inwardly and outwardly with the plunger 249 .in its reciprocal action. Leads 25I and 252 are connected to the contacts within the switch 241 (not shown). A flexible tubing 259 encases the leads 25I and 252. The plunger 249 is disposed in the path of the cylindrical member 24!. being contacted by the external face of the plug 242 in the pivotal movement thereof occasioned by the movement of the roller 233 into and out of spaces I 05 in the depositing plate I03. The resilient construction of the assemblage which strikes the plunger 249 prevents damage to the plunger 249 and also reduces the necessity of I an accurate adjustment of the several parts for operative engagement.

The switch 241 is adapted to remain off after the plunger has been struck by the face of the plug 242 until the contacts thereof have been reset manually. This construction is preferred to an automatic reset construction in order to gain a maximum safety in the operation of the present depositing mechanism. In certain installations, suitable conventional relays and push buttons are installed for the reset of the contacts of the switch 241.

The hopper 23 is of the general configuration shown in Fig. 3 and includes a charge portion 253 and a throat portion 254. A baffle 255 is disposed between the charge portion 253 and the throat portion 254. The bafile 255 includes a wall portion 256 formed integral with a wall of the charge portion 253 as an extension thereof, and a plate 251 adjustably secured to the wall portion 256 by a manually removable screw assemblage 258.

The reject device 30 (Figs. 3 and 9) includes a chute 260 secured to the disc 96 by suitable bolts 26f, or the like, under the upside of the depositing plate I03. An aperture 262 in the disc 96 in the path of the spaces I 05 establishes communication between the chute 250 and the spaces I05. r

} 7 Operation The present depositing mechanism 20 is ordinarily installed along side a conveyor of a canning line. In other words, it is expeditious to place the depositing mechanism at some'point between operation stations in order to in nowise burden the normal canning operation.

After the depositingmechanism 20 has been suitably installed, the hopper 23 is filled with salt tablets 24,' the bafiie 255. having been previously adjusted to feed'a predetermined number of tablets from the charge portion 253 into the throat portion254. The various adjustments of the mechanism 20. are made, of course, including the insertion of a salt tablet'into each of the apertures I62 of the'compensator disc -I6I, save the one overhanging the depositing plate I03. The Wheel 224 is disposed in thepath of the cans 149 and the machine is ready for. op-

eration. r.

It is necessary to run the mechanism 20 for a few seconds before the arrival of cans I49 in order to fill the operative upside apertures 'II and the operative downside spaces .I 05, unless these apertures and spaces have been previously loaded .by hand. The pick up plate 10 selects a tablet in each aperture II from the mass.

Let it be assumed thatthe apertures II on the upside of the pick up plate "I and all of the spaces I on the downside of the deposit'plate I03 are loaded. .A can I49 strikes the, Wheel 224 just prior tothe arrival of a loaded space I05 at the gate 206. The continued movement of the can I49 through the action of the screw element; I42 rotates the lever arm 223 clockwise (Figs z and to rotate the lever 2I5 inthe same direction, which, through the. link 2I8, swings the gate 206 by its pivotally mounted shaft 204 to permit the tablet in the space I05 whichhas just arrivedat the gate206 to. fall by gravity into the passing can I49.Through the. action of the tension spring 22I, the lever arm 2I5 is rotated counterclockwisetoclose the gate 206 as the can I49 passes beyond contact With the wheel 224. Bythis action, the wheel 224 is rotated into thepath of the next can I49. This action is repeatedas every can I49 passes beneath the gate 205. Manifestly, the cans I49 and the rotation of the pick up plate .10 and the depositing plate I03 are synchronized so that a can is beneath the gate 206 each time a space I05 passes the raised gate 200, t

As disclosed, the pick up plate!!! and the depositing plate I03 are rotated at the same speed through the gear mechanism clearlyshown in Fig. 5.-- Further, there are the same number of apertures II in the pickup plate Was there are spaces ,I05 in the depositing plate I03. Therefore, there is; a single'continuous-trail of tablets from the hopper -23 to the point ofdeposit at the gate 205. As each loaded aperture II reaches approximatelyitshighest point, its

tablet-falls by gravity. into the uppermost space I05 of the depositing plate I03 The angular disposition of the pick up plate I0 and the depositing plate I03 insures the rapid drop of the tablet from the aforesaid aperture 'II of the former to the space I05 of the latter. Through suitable gearing, the plates I0 and I03 may be rotated at difierent speeds to allow for different numbers of apertures II andspaces I05.

The compensating device 21 deposits a tablet in a predetermined space I05 of the depositing plate I03 .upon the failure of the corresponding aperturelI of the pick up plate I0'to select a tablet from the mass. Thewheel I is positioned the distance of several apertures II from the transfer point of the pick up plate I0 andthe depositin plate-I03. Similarly, the overhanging aperture :I 62 of the compensating disc 'I 6 I is dis posed to align itself-witheach space I05 a pre-' determined :distance from said juncture point.

Hence, the wheel I80 moves into an mpty aperture'II and out again to pivot-the compensator disc IBI to a position to disjchargeua 'tabletinto an aligned space I05 from the aperture I62 moved into overhanging position.- The "empty aperture II and the space I 05 loadedibythe compensator disc I6I reach the juncture. point of the pick up plate 10 and the depositing plate I03jatgthe same time, therebycontinuing the chain of tablets in the descending half of the depositing plate I03.

The operation of the .oompensatingdevice 21 includes the pivotal action of thelever arm I-82- in a counterclockwise direction (Fig; 6) through the rotation-of the shaft I15 by the descent of I91 insures the dropping of the wheel I30winto.

the empty spaces II, and the. spring I80 main-. tains the pawl I83 in operative position.

The cut-out device 29 operates to, stop the mechanism 20 upon the failure of both the pick up plate I0 and the compensating device 21. Upon the presence of an empty space I05 in the downside of the depositing plate I03, the roller 239 drops into the space, pivoting the shaft23l (Figs; Hand 12) to move the arm 235 clockwise. The arm 235 carries with itin its pivotal movement the member- 238 and the cylindrical member 24!. The member24I throughthe plug 242 strikes the plunger 249 of the switch24l to stop the motor H0 and thedepo-siting mechanism 20. The switch 241 must be reset by handafter the tablet deficiency has been supplied.

The reject device-i0 supplies a means for removing tablets from the depositing plate I03 which have (been carried past the gate 206. Should there'be a failureof a can, oraseries of cans, along the. canning line, the gate 206,-

of course, does not open,-inasmuch as there is nothing to move the wheel 224 to pivot the gateactuating construction. The tablets are carried past the closed g'ate206 and are dropped into the chute 260 through .the opening 262 in the disc 96. A bucket (not-shownbor other receiv ing means, may be disposed atthe mouth of the chute 200. The rejected tablets, of course, may be replaced in the hopper 25 for ultimate deposit in cans I49.

Th present depositing mechanism 20 has been describedas to the application of both the construction and the operation thereof to the deposit of salt tablets; Manifestly, the depositin'gmecha nism 20 may be employed to deposit articles of various kinds.

The severalelements of the depositing mechanism 20 are, of course, to be constructed'of suit-' able-materials. The configurations of the elements maype changed and varied within the purview of the present invention. A preferred construction has been presented, but it is app ciated that such changes and alterations may be made.

It is clear that'allof the objects and advantages sought therefor are obtained by the present invention. It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and eirample and not for purposes of limitation, the invention being limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A power-driven depositing mechanism comprisin a support, means for holding a mass of articles, 'a plate having spaced apertures adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted to dip into the mass of articles to select an article for each aperture, asecond'rotatably mounted plate having spaces formed in the peripheral edge thereof disposed to form a juncture point with the first plate so that articles are received directly by the second plate through its edge from the apertures of the first plate, means for synchronously driving the two plates so that apertures of the first plateand spaces of the second plate reach the point of juncture coincidentally to transfer articles directly from the apertures of the first plate to the spaces of the second plate, and means for deposing the articles from the spaces of the second plate.

2. A power-driven depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a mass of articles. a plate having spaced apertures adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted to dip into the mass of articles to select an article for each aperture, a second rotatably mounted plate having spaces formed in the periphery-thereof disposed to form a juncture point with the first plate, means for synchronously driving the two plates so that apertures of the first plate and spaces of the second plate reach the point of juncture coincidentally to transfer articles from the apertures of the first plate to the spaces of the second plate, means for maintaining in said spaces of said second plate articles received, means actuating said maintaining means for selectively releasing for deposit the articles from the spaces of the second plate, means for supplying directly to the predetermined space of the second plate an article upon the determined deficiency of an articl in an aperture of the first plate, and means for receiv ing articles not released by the releasing means.

3. A power-driven depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for-hclding a mass of articles, a platehaving spaced apertures adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted to dip into the mass of articles to select an article for each aperture, a second rotatably mounted plate having spaces formed in the periphery thereof disposed to form a juncture point with the first plate, means for synchronously driving the two plates so that apertures of the first plate and spaces of the second plate reach the point of juncture coincidentally to transfer articles from the apertures of the first plate to the spaces of the second plate, and means for depositing the articles from the spaces of the second plate, saiddepositing means comprising a gate pivotally mounted adjacent a periphery point of the second rotatably mounted plate, means adapted to be rotated by a receptacle moving past the depositing mechanism, and connecting means between the gate and the said last means to pivot the gate to open position upon such pivotal movement of the said last means, said pivotal movement of the gate permitting an article in an adjacent space of the second rotatably mounted plate to drop by gravity into the said receptacle actuating the said last means.

4. A power-driven depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a mass of articles, an angularly disposed plate having spaced apertures adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted on the support to dip into the mass of articles, said plate being adapted to consecu tively select an article in eachaperture in rotation of the said plate, a second plate rotatably mounted on the support having spaces formed in the periphery thereof, said second plate being disposed at an angle to the first plate to form a juncture point therewith at the uppermost disposed points of the two plates, means for rotating the two plates consecutively to simultaneously dispose an aperture of the first plate and a space of the second plate at the point of juncture to permit the articles in the apertures of th first plate to fall by gravity into the spaces of the second plate, a flange adjacent the periphery of the second plate to prevent the articles from falling from the spaces, a gate in the flange opposite the lowermost point of the second plate, and means for pivotally moving the gate to permit an article in a space opposite the gate to fall by gravity from the second plate.

5. A power-driven depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding amass of articles, a plate having spaced apertures adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted to dip into the mass of articles to select an article for each aperture, a second rotatably mounted plate having spaces formed in the periphery thereof disposed to form a juncture point with the first plate, means for synchronously driving th two plates so that apertures of the first plate and spaces of the second plate reach the point of juncture coincidentally to transfer articles from the apertures of the first plate-to the spaces of the second plate, means for maintaining insaid spaces of said second plate articles received, and means actuating said maintaining means for releasing an article from the second plate upon the presence of a receptacle to receive the article.

6. A power-driven depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a mass of articles, a plate having spaced apertures adjacent the, periphery rotatably mounted to dip into the mass of articles to select an article for each aperture, a second rotatably mounted plate having spaces formed in the periphery thereof disposed to form a juncture point with the first plate, means for synchronously driving the two plates so that apertures of the first plate and spaces of the second plate reach the point of juncture coincidentally to transfer articles from the apertures of the first plate to the spaces of the second plate, means for maintaining in said spaces of said second plate articles received, means actuating said maintaining means for releasing an article from the second plate upon the presence of a receptacle to receive the article, and means for removing from the second plate articles refused release therefrom through failure of operation of said last means.

7. A depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a mass of articles, a plate rotatably mounted at an angle on the support to dip into the mass of articles adapted to select articles consecutively fromthe mass, a second plate rotatably mounted at an angl on th support disposed to form a juncture with th first plate and adapted to consecutively receive the of receptacles to receive the released articles, and

meansv to supply directly to the second plate an article or articles in anticipation of the failure of the selector plate to supply the article or articles to the receiving plate.

8. A depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a mas of articles, a plate having spaced apertures adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted at an angle to the horizontal to dip into the mass of articles to select an article for each aperture, a second plate rotatably mounted at an angle to the horizontal having spaces formed in the periphery thereof disposed to form an angular juncture with the first plate, said juncture providing means for transfer of articles from the first plate to the second plate, means for synchronously driving the two plates so that apertures of the first plate and spaces of the second plate reach the juncture point in a relationship to permit transfer of articles from the apertures of the first plate to the spaces of the second plate, and means for disposing articles from the spaces of the second plate.

9. A depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a mass of articles, a plate having spaced apertures adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted at an angle to the horizontalito dip into the mass of articles to select an article for each aperture, a second plate rotatably mounted at an angle to the horizontal having spaces formed in the periphery thereof disposed to form an angular juncture with the first plate, said juncture providing means for transfer of articles from the first plate to the second plate, means for synchronously driving the two plates so that apertures of the first plate and spaces of the second plate reach the juncture point in a relationship to permit transfer of articles from the apertures of the first plate to the spaces of the second plate, means for disposing articles from the spaces of the second plate, and means for supplying an article directly to a predetermined space of the second plate upon the determined deficiency of an article in a corresponding aperture of the first plate.

10. A depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a plurality of articles supported thereby, a first circular plate having apertures therethrough adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted at an angle to dip through the plurality of articles to select an article for each aperture, means for retaining selected articles in th apertures having means at onepoint to permit said articles to consecutively drop from the apertures, a second circular plate having spaces formed into the periphery thereof rotatably mounted at an angle with theperiphery adjacent the first plate at the points of article drop so that an article dropped from an aperture passes directly into a space, means for rotating the first and second plates synchronously so that a space and an aperture always reach the point of adjacency simultaneously, means for maintaining in the spaces articles received therein, and means actuating the maintaining means for releasing articles from the spaces at a predetermined point.

11. A depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a plurality of articles supported thereby, a first circular plate having apertures therethrough adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted at an angle to dip through the plurality of articles to selectan article for each aperture, means for retaining selected articles in the apertures having means at one point to permit said articles to consecutively drop from the apertures, a second circular plate having spaces formed into the periphery thereof rotatably mounted at an angle with theperiphery adjacent the first plate at the points of articl drop so that an article dropped from an aperture passes I directly into a space, means for rotating the first and second plates synchronously so that a space and an aperture always reach the point of ad jacency simultaneously, means for maintaining in the spaces articles received therein, means actuating the maintaining means for releasing articles from said last-named spaces upon presence of re ceptacles to receive'the articles, and means for removing from the second plate articles not released by the releasing means.

12. A depositing mechanism comprising means for holding a mass of articlesto be deposited, means comprising a first member havin a plurality of pockets each capable of holding a predetermined number of said articles, means to move said member into said mass of articles to efiect filling of said pockets, and to convey said articles so selected from said mass in succession, a second member having pockets to receive said articles, said second member being disposed to present its pockets immediately adjacent and below pockets of the first member at a point to which the first member has conveyed the same,

means moving the second member to present a pocket at said point each time a pocket is present there by the first member, means to eirect discharge of said articles from the pockets of the first member to the pockets of the second, said second member being adapted to convey the articles received to a second point, and means to control discharge of the articles at said second point.

13. A depositing mechanism comprising a support, means for holding a plurality of articles supported thereby, a first circular plate having apertures therethrough adjacent the periphery rotatably mounted at an angle to dip through the plurality of articles to select an article for,

each aperture, means for retaining selected articles in the apertures having means at one point to permit said articles to consecutively drop from the apertures, a second circular plate having spaces formed into the periphery thereof rotatably mounted at an angle with the periphery adjacent the first plate at the points of article drop 'so that an article dropped from an aperture passes, directly into a space, means for rotating the first and second'platessynchronously so that a space and an aperture always reach the point of adjacency simultaneously, means for maintain ing in the spaces articles received therein, means actuating the maintaining means for releasing articles from said last-named spaces upon presence GERHART s. SUPPIGER. 

